Orchard Ridge, a suburban development on Madison's West Side, puts residents close to major highways, popular golf courses and major shopping centers. Many community members have lived in Orchard Ridge since it was developed in the mid-20th century, and most homes are original construction. Annual events at local parks keep neighbors connected.
Though its apple farms were replaced by houses from the 1950s to the 1970s, Orchard Ridge hasn't lost its green character. “The neighborhood is full of avid gardeners and the lots here are large and have beautiful trees and mature landscaping,” says eXp Realty’s Broker Associate Sue Romens, who grew up in Orchard Ridge. Most houses are split-level or ranch-style houses with midcentury aesthetics. Single-family homes smaller than 2,500 square feet sell from the high $200,000s to the high $600,000s, while larger properties run from the mid-$400,000s to the mid-$700,000s. Townhouses built in the 1970s sell from the mid-$200,000s to the mid-$300,000s. Orchard Ridge’s median sale price of $492,000 is much higher than the citywide median of $419,000 and neighboring Dunn's Marsh ’s $328,000, partly due to the rigorous maintenance and renovation of Orchard Ridge’s original homes.
Students are zoned to attend the highly rated Madison Metropolitan School District, including the local Orchard Ridge Elementary School and Akira Toki Middle School, which share a campus. The state’s school choice policy means that students can apply to other schools throughout the public school system, as well as charter and voucher-backed schools. The top-rated St. Maria Goretti Catholic School is also located in Orchard Ridge, serving elementary and middle schoolers.
Orchard Ridge is dotted with small green spaces like Flad, Sunridge and Orchard Ridge parks, each of which include playgrounds and, often, spaces for basketball and field sports. During the summer, residents can cool off at the Ridgewood Pool. “People even come from out of the neighborhood for swim lessons and the swim and dive team,” Romens says. “There’s a lot of camaraderie, it’s great competition, but it’s also a great stepping-stone for kids who want to get to the next level of swimming.” Across U.S. Route 14, Odana Hills Park features an off-leash dog park as well as sports fields, and the Regent Soccer Club hosts youth teams. The Odana Hills Golf Course’s 18-hole course is open to the public, and it also offers cross-country skiing trails in the winter months. Vitense Golfland lets visitors play mini-golf on three courses, including an indoor one. Orchard Ridge is also a short drive from the Nakoma Golf Club and Elver Park’s disc golf course.
U.S. Route 14, also called the “Beltline,” runs along Orchard Ridge’s northern edge connects it to the rest of Madison and beyond. “Easy access to the Beltline can get you to Milwaukee and the Dells,” says Kelley Muselman, a Realtor with Realty Executives Cooper Spransy’s Minter Team. “If you go 5 minutes, you’re in Middleton. If you go 10 minutes in the other direction, you’re in Verona. Those pockets are good for easy commutes to work.” Downtown Madison, 6 miles away, is a straight shot up Nakoma Road and Monroe Street. Metro Transit E-line buses stop along Whitney Way before heading downtown. Health care is even closer to home at UW Health’s Science Drive Medical Center, 2 miles away. The Southwest Commuter Path, popular with cyclists, runs along Orchard Ridge’s western border as it heads downtown.
Orchard Ridge’s location along U.S. Route 14 means that shopping centers are never more than a few minutes away. “The biggest thing is access,” Muselman says. “It has easy access to anything West Side, with the malls—Hilldale is right there. If you go the opposite direction, you’ve got the Target shopping center over off McKee.” Shopping options include:
The Orchard Ridge Neighborhood Association brings neighbors together through annual events. “It’s a very user-friendly, livable and long-established community. And the people here are extremely friendly and helpful,” Romens says. “There’s an annual neighborhood potluck picnic party and a Fourth of July celebration, a local park and a beautiful pool, too. I loved growing up here.” Springtime sees Orchard Ridge Park host an Easter egg hunt, while the summer brings a Fourth of July parade and picnic. Fall Fest sees Flad Park become a crafts and food market, as well as the site of a Halloween costume parade. Adult ORNA members can also take part in the Winter Social, sharing drinks and playing trivia at a local venue.
Greskelly Diaz Penaranda
EXP Realty, LLC
(608) 640-3207
131 Total Sales
1 in Orchard Ridge
$280,000 Price
Sona Olson
Real Broker LLC
(608) 292-3957
59 Total Sales
1 in Orchard Ridge
$695,000 Price
Daron Lenzendorf
Powerhouse Team Realty
(608) 292-3495
74 Total Sales
1 in Orchard Ridge
$260,000 Price
Karen Tetzlaff
Realty Executives Cooper Spransy
(608) 975-2579
68 Total Sales
1 in Orchard Ridge
$625,000 Price
Thomsen Team
Modern Realty Partners LLC
(262) 588-3642
50 Total Sales
1 in Orchard Ridge
$616,000 Price
Areal Guenther
Realty Executives Cooper Spransy
(608) 292-6261
110 Total Sales
1 in Orchard Ridge
$365,000 Price
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Orchard Ridge | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 4 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 3 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 3 | 4 |
| Robbery | 2 | 4 |
| Burglary | 3 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 3 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
On average, homes in Orchard Ridge, Madison sell after 27 days on the market compared to the national average of 54 days. The median sale price for homes in Orchard Ridge, Madison over the last 12 months is $489,900, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
$1,050 - $1,150 per month
$1,350 - $2,200 per month
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A southwest Madison neighborhood with plenty of parks, events and shopping outlets
A golf course and a major university help shape this community’s persona
A South Madison suburb halfway between downtown and West Side shopping.
Quiet suburban community with quick access to parks and major shopping centers
A West Side neighborhood in Madison with plenty of parks, retail and events
Historic community surrounded by green spaces and close to major retail outlets
